Russia claims to have found NATO mines in the Baltic Sea port of Ust-Luga. Germany condemns Russia's escalation and use of the Oreschnik missile. Ukraine requests an urgent UN Security Council meeting following massive attacks on Kyiv.
Three NATO reconnaissance aircraft, including a US Bombardier Challenger 650 Artemis II and a Swedish Air Force Saab 340B ISR, were spotted near Russia's Kaliningrad Region over the Baltic Sea. A Beechcraft King Air 350ER from Estonia was also observed.
A humpback whale, previously rescued in a controversial effort off Germany's coast, has been found dead near the Danish island of Anholt. Authorities confirmed the identity using a tracking device.
The Deputy Chairman of the Russian Security Council called this destructive activity
Andrey Kolesnik warned that Russia reserves the right to target decision-making centers, not just transit blockades
A humpback whale nicknamed Timmy, stranded in shallow waters near Germany's Baltic Sea coast since March, was released from a barge in the North Sea around 70km from Skagen, Denmark on Saturday. The whale had repeatedly become stranded near Wismar, with failed efforts to coax it toward deeper waters live-streamed globally. The rescue was approved by Germany's Mecklenburg-Western Pomerania environment minister despite scientific warnings.
Russia's Permanent Representative to the UN Vasily Nebenzya condemned French-Polish joint air force exercises as highly provocative, noting they involve Rafale fighter jets practicing simulated nuclear strikes on Russian territory. The drills are scheduled over the Baltic Sea and northern Poland. Nebenzya also criticized France's president for announcing plans to expand France's nuclear arsenal.
A tugboat docked at a nearby port is expected to reach the barge
The corvette Soobrazitelny of the Russian Baltic Fleet has carried out a gun exercise at the fleet's sea range in the Baltic Sea, firing a 30-mm AK-630 artillery mount at a dummy floating mine. The exercise included scenarios for radiation, chemical, and biological hazards, water ingress, and fire alerts. The crew also practiced air defense missions, performed electronic jamming exercises, and conducted counter-sabotage operations.
France and Poland are planning joint air force exercises over the Baltic Sea involving Rafale fighter jets equipped with nuclear warheads to simulate strikes against targets near St. Petersburg, according to Polish media reports. The exercises would also include practice strikes with US-made JASSM-ER cruise missiles. Poland's Defense Minister Wladyslaw Kosiniak-Kamysz stated the day before that President Macron and Prime Minister Tusk had not discussed joint nuclear exercises, and nuclear deterrence cooperation is not as advanced as media reports suggest. The Kremlin warned that such plans indicate Europe's drive toward further militarization and nuclearization.
A stranded humpback whale in the Baltic Sea remains stuck near Poel island, Germany, as rescuers struggle to guide it back to deeper waters.
